Discover South Maui By Bicycle | Find Your Next Adventure On A Bike

One of ways to get out and live like a local is to discover South Maui by bicycle. You'll be having a great adventure and getting to visit spots that you might not necessarily see if you're in your car.

Bike rentals are available all over South Maui from north Kihei to south Kihei and the types of bikes range from beach cruiser style to electric bikes to road bikes.

For the casual rider, a beach cruiser would be the way to go. For as little as $20 a day, you can pedal your way around Kihei and really live like a local.

Photo by Auntie Snorkel

If you're an experienced cyclist you may want to look into renting a full performance road bike and take your adventure upcountry or to the west side.

Pay close attention to your environment and heed local laws and etiquette. According to West Maui Cycles the following are best practices while riding in Maui.

When riding on Maui it is always wise to assume that you don't always have the right of way on the roads. This doesn't mean it is not safe, just ride with more awareness of your space. When out on some of the roads with little to no shoulder it is good practice to:

• Always move over as far as safely possible• Ride single file unless the shoulder provides enough safe space• Use hand signals especially when riding with someone behind you (sometimes it is hard to hear with the wind in your ears)• Most importantly wave on cars that hesitate to pass, this will help alleviate traffic on narrow winding roads• Always wave or "shaka" kindness goes a long way

Throw a 'Shaka' to share Aloha!

Other helpful tips from West Maui Cycles include;

• Expect to be hot (being in the equatorial zone it tends to feel warmer than it is)• Expect to have some wind from every direction (you're on an island and your direction changes)• Expect to have some climbs (you're on the side of a volcano)• Expect to go home with a tan or a sunburn if you didn't protect yourself• Expect to see a rainbow• Expect to take a lot of good pictures (both mentally and digitally)• Expect see amazing sunsets/sunrises• Expect to end your ride with a big smile on your face

Make sure to take plenty of water in a reusable water bottle. Make sure to stop along the way and try out local food trucks, shave ice spots or ice cream.

Respect local property owners and heed all 'No Tresspassing' signs.

Download a copy of the Maui County Bicycle Map from MauiBike.org

Michele Shapiro, a travel writer for the San Francisco Chronicle shares 3 epic rides to try in Maui, one of which is heading south from Kihei to La Perouse bay. According to Shapiro;

"Ride 1: South Maui Bicycles (Kihei) to La Perouse Lava Fields (Wailea-Makena)<How far: 21 miles round-trip, about 1.5 hours.What bike: A hybrid (or electric)Route: Want to know what it’s like to cycle on Mars? After passing numerous resorts along Wailea’s coast, follow the bike lane south to enter a dramatically different world of dark, jagged rock — the lava deposits from the East Mountain Volcano (a.k.a. Haleakala) — that has remained unchanged for hundreds of years. The bike lane ends past Makena Resort, making the final stretch of the ride a little bumpy. But it’s worth the saddle sores to catch a glimpse of a dolphin pod around La Perouse Bay.

Bike Safety

According to MauiBike.org; "...bicyclists are required to ride on the right side of the road in single file. A bicyclist is allowed to ride in the center of the travel lane when the lane is too narrow for both car and bicycle to travel safely side by side. This rules applies even when the bicycle is moving slower than traffic."

and

Hawaii’s bicyclists are considered drivers of vehicles. Bicyclists have most of the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.

According to HRS 291C-145(a)(2):Bicyclists should not be expected to move off the road whenever a car is behind them. It is legal for the bicyclist to remain in the lane, even if they are slowing down or impeding traffic. Maui Bicycling League encourages bicyclists to think courteously of other road users, including pulling over occasionally when traffic is backed up behind them (when it is safe and convenient to do so, at the discretion of the bicyclist).

Motorists should pass bicycles with the same precautions used when passing other slower motorists. They should pass only in zones where there are no double yellow lines, and should wait until they can see that the oncoming lane is clear of approaching cars. The motorist should signal, then move cautiously into the oncoming lane (left of center) to pass the bicyclist. Motorists should give bicycles at least 3 feet of space between their vehicle and the bicycle. Let’s keep everyone safe!

Auntie Snorkel is just a 5 minute walk from our condo!

Maui cycling helmet law.

In Maui County, all juveniles under the age of 16 years old MUST wear helmets while riding a bicycle. Helmets are recommended for adults at all times but are not mandatory. Bicycle lights and bike reflectors are required by law for all riders at night including 30 minutes before and after sunset or sunrise.